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Transplant association cycles to London to promote healthy exercise

20 june 2025

On Friday 20 June, the Leuven mayor Mohamed Ridouani will mark the official start of the Belgian Transplantoux Promo Tour 2025, a special bike ride from Leuven to London. The participants are members, sponsors and supporters of the transplant association Transplantoux, but also doctors from all Belgian transplant centres. Thye're cycling to London to participate in ESOT, the most important European transplant conference, while promoting an active lifestyle. 

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foto van groepje fietsers met blauwe Transplantoux-truitjes

The Transplantoux organisation, established in 2008 by and for people that have undergone an (organ) transplant, is committed to connecting fellow patients and encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle after transplantation. For the fourth time, Transplantoux is putting its money where its mouth is and sending a delegation to the largest European transplant conference.

This year, they also want to draw attention to the Belgian Transplantoux Games (6-7 September 2025 in Gent) onder de aandacht brengen. These national sports and games days are part of the preparations for the renowned World Transplant Games 2027, which Leuven will be hosting, and in which Transplantoux hopes to have 2027 transplanted Belgian athletes participate in.

Connected for life

Under the tagline ‘Connected for life’, Transplantoux aims to get as many transplant recipients as possible moving in a safe, warm and accessible way. The organisation is also committed to scientific research and raising awareness in the medical world.

Prof. dr. Diethard Monbaliu, chairman of Transplantoux and transplant surgeon at UZ Leuven: “We want to continue setting the good example. Together, we are cycling towards the future, for every transplanted life that deserves opportunities and in gratitude to all organ donors. From Leuven, we are proud to launch the Belgian convoy to London. It symbolises our pioneering role and our shared mission: exercise as medicine."

Prof. dr. Eric Hoste, chairman of the Belgian Transplantation Society (BTS): “This action does not only underline the importance of exercise after transplatation, but also the intense collaboration between the Belgian transplant centres. Transplantation is all about solidarity and collaboration - the exchange of organs literally saves lives.”

Prof. dr. Yves Van Belleghem (co-organiser of the Belgian Transplantoux Games 2025): "In September, Ghent will be the sportive heart for transplantation in Belgium. wordt in september het sportieve hart voor transplantatie in België. This trip is therefore the perfect prelude to what promises to be a warm, inclusive and sporting edition of the Belgian Transplant Games."

From Leuven to London (20-28 June 2025)

The route connects all Belgian university transplant centres with leading British cities in the field of transplantation.

  • Friday 20/6: UZ Leuven ➜ CHU Luik (~90 km)
  • Saturday 21/6: CHU Luik ➜ ULB Erasme, Brussel (~120 km)
  • Sunday 22/6: Walk from VUB Jette, ULB Erasme and UCL Saint-Luc, with joint arrival on the Warandeplein in Brussels, the symbolic centre of our country
  • Monday 23/6: VUB Jette ➜ UZ Gent ➜ UZA Antwerpen (~120 km)
  • Tuesday 24/6 and Wednesday 25/6: Hull ➜ Cambridge
  • Thursday 26/6: Cambridge ➜ Oxford
  • Friday 27/6: Oxford ➜ Londen Windsor
  • Saturday 28/6: arrival at ESOT 2025, ExCeL London
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Last edit: 24 july 2025